Core straightener assembly

ABSTRACT

This application discloses apparatus for returning bent or deformed ends of hollow cores to a circular condition. The apparatus or assembly consists of a mandrel that is rotated about a fixed axis on a support with a pair of rollers mounted on the support adjacent the mandrel to clamp a hollow core between the mandrel and the rollers. The rollers are driven at the same speed as the mandrel and are capable of being rotated about the axis of the mandrel to change the point of engagement between the peripheral surface of the rollers and the surface of the core to be straightened.

Tlrrited States Patent [1 1 nth [451 Sept. 24, 1974 1 CORE STRAIGHTENER ASSEMBLY Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham Assistant ExaminerJames R. Duzan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT This application discloses apparatus for returning bent or deformed ends of hollow cores to a circular condition. The apparatus or assembly consists of a mandrel that is rotated about a fixed axis on a support with a pair of rollers mounted on the support adjacent the mandrel to clamp a hollow core between the mandrel and the rollers. The rollers are driven at the same speed as the mandrel and are capable of being rotated about the axis of the mandrel to change the point of engagement between the peripheral surface of the rollers and the surface of the core to be straightened.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CORE STRAIGHTENER ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the paper and other related industries, it has been customary to utilize hollow circular cores, usually formed of metal, for winding a continuous web of paper onto the core for storage and subsequent use. Usually, the continuous sheet of paper or similar product is automatically placed on the core by a winding machine that has the core supported thereon for rotation by a suitable drive means. Because of the expense involved in the initial formation of large hollow cylindrical metal cores, it is desirable to reuse a core as many times as possible. However, because of the abuse the cores receive after the paper has been removed therefrom, difficulties have been encountered in getting the cores properly positioned on the winding machine because they are usually bent or flattened adjacent the ends before being returned to the paper manufacturer. To alleviate this problem, it has become customary to cut off certain portions of each core adjacent opposite ends so that the center portions of the cores may be reused for paper of narrower width. While this arrangement has proven satisfactory, the rapid depletion of the core to an unusable state is extremely costly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved apparatus that can be utilized for automatically returning bent hollow circular cores to their original condition in an extremely short period of time so that the cores can readily be placed on a winding machine for reuse.

The apparatus or core straightening assembly consists of a frame supporting a mandrel that is rotated about a fixed axis by a drive member. The frame also has clamping means for clamping the hollow core in engagement with the peripheral surface of the mandrel. The clamping means consists of first and second rollers that are respectively supported at opposite ends by a pair of arms which are pivoted about an axis common to the axis for the mandrel. The rollers are moved with respect to the pivot axis through a member having camming surfaces thereon with followers on each of the arms engaging the camming surfaces so that rotation of the member by a separate drive means will change the positions of the rollers relative to the mandrel.

The core straightener assembly also has a common drive means for simultaneously rotating the rollers and the mandrel and the drive means consists of intermeshing gears on the rollers and the mandrel so that the rollers are simultaneously rotated during rotation of the mandrel by the drive means. The core straightener assembly further includes hold-down means located above the roller for engaging the core and maintaining the peripheral surface in engagement with the peripheral surface of the rollers. The hold-down means may be a fluid ram that has rotating elements for engaging the core.

Flat or bent ends of the cores can therefore readily be straightened by inserting the end of the core over the mandrel which has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the core, and driving the core and rollers simultaneously while moving the rollers with respect to the mandrel.

The core straightener assembly may also incorporate a rasp or file means for removing any irregularities on the ends of the core while it is being straightened.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the core straightener assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a certain portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the assembly with certain parts in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

FIG. 1 of the drawings discloses a core straightener assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 10, consisting of support frame 12 that has base 14 and a pair of uprights l6 and 18 extending above base 14.

A mandrel 20 is supported for rotation about a fixed axis on upright 16 and is driven by drive means consisting of motor 22 supported on base 14 with output shaft 24 of the motor connected to mandrel 20 through flexible coupling 26. Mandrel 20 has a tapered end 27 as it is most clearly shown in FIG. 2 and the diameter of the mandrel is less than the inside diameter of the hollow core 28, for a purpose that will be described later.

Core straightener assembly 10 also incorporates clamping means for clamping a hollow circular core 28 in driving relation with the peripheral surface of mandrel 20. Clamping means 30 consists of a pair of rollers 32 carried on the uprights by support means 34 for supporting the rollers below the mandrel with their axes extending parallel to the axis of mandrel 20. Support means 34 consists of a first pair of arms 36 supporting one roller 32 and a second pair of arms 38 supporting the second roller or shaft 32. One arm of each pair is supported for pivotal movement on one upright while the other arm of each pair is supported for pivotal movement on the other upright and the pivotal axis for both pairs of arms 36 and 38 is common to the axis of the mandrel. As shown in FIG. 4, mandrel 20 is supported for rotation within an integral sleeve 40 extending from upright 16 towards upright 18 with suitable bearings 42 located between the sleeve and the mandrel. Arms 36, 38 are supported for movement with respect to upright 16 by sleeves 44 that are received in openings 46 and engaged the peripheral surface of sleeve 40.

The other arms 36 and 38 are likewise supported for rotation about an axis common to the axis for the mandrel on upright 18. Upright 18 has an integral sleeve 50 extending towards upright 16 with an opening 52 in sleeve 50. Opening 52 is considerably larger than the diameter of core 28 so that the core can readily be received therethrough, as will be explained later. Arms 36 and 38 are respectively pivotally supported for rotation about the outer periphery of sleeve 50.

The respective ends of the respective rollers or shafts 32 are each supported for rotation in one arm through a plurality of bearings (only one being shown in FIG.

2). The centers of the respective bearings 60 are all located a common dimension from the axis for mandrel so that movement of the arms with respect to the upright wall cause the rollers or shafts 32 to move along a circular arc 62 shown in FIG. 3, as will be explained in more detail later.

The clamping means 30 also includes moving means for pivoting arms 36 and 38 on uprights 16 and 18 to change the angular position of the peripheral surfaces of rollers 32 with respect to the peripheral surface of mandrel 20. The moving means consists of a member or shaft 70 supported for rotation about a fixed axis on the respective uprights 16 and 18. The member or shaft 70 and the arms 36 and 38 have cooperating engaging means 72 so that rotation of the member will move the arms relative to the mandrel. One type of engaging means 72 for one arm of each pair will be described in detail with the understanding that the opposite engaging means 72 is substantially identical in construction. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that member or shaft 70 has an irregular camming surface 74 defined on a plate 76 that is secured to shaft 70 through a key 78. The arms 36 and 38 have cam elements or followers 80 rotatably supported thereon and engaging camming surface 74. In order to maintain constant engagement between the cam followers 80 and the camming surface 74, the two arms 36 and 38 are perferably biased towards each other through a spring 82 connected at opposite ends to the respective arms adjacent the lower end thereof through brackets 83.

With this arrangement, rotational movement of shaft 70 will cause cam followers 80 to move along the arcuate surfaces defined by the camming surface 74 and simultaneously cause the arms to pivot away from each other and move the shafts or rollers 32 about the circular arc 62. By proper configuration of the camming surface 74, the extent of movement for a predetermined amount of angular rotation for member '70 may be set as desired.

The moving means also includes power means for rotating the member 70 and the power means is illustrated in FIG. 1 as consisting of a fluid ram having its cylinder 84 supported on base 14 and its piston rod 86 connected to one end of shaft 70 through a radially extending arm 88. Fluid, such as pressurized air, may be directed to opposite ends of cylinder 84 through conduits 89 to extend and retract the piston rod and rotate the member or shaft 70.

According to another aspect of the invention, the peripheral surfaces ofrollers 32 are driven at a common speed to the peripheral surface of the hollow core while the peripheral surface of the mandrel is at the same speed as the inner surface of the hollow core. This is accomplished by the same drive motor 22 which drives the mandrel 20. Rollers 32 each have a gear 90 on an extension 92 that extends through an arcuate slot 94 (FIG. 3). Gears 90 are in mesh with gear 95 fixed to the mandrel 20 as is most clearly shown in FIG. 1. Since the gears 90 and 92 are all of equal size, rollers 32 will be driven at the same speed or number of revolutions per minute, as the mandrel 20.

The outside diameters of rollers 32 and the outside diameter of the mandrel are proportional so that the surface speed of the rollers is approximately the same as the surface speed ofthe outside surface of the hollow core, while the surface speed of the mandrel is approximately the same with the surface speed of the inside surface of the hollow core.

If desired, additional arms 96 may be rotatably supported on the mandrel 20 and roller extensions 92 to provide further support for the rollers.

According to the further aspect of the invention, the core straightener assembly 10 also includes hold-down means 100 for holding core 28 in engagement with the peripheral surfaces of rollers 32. The hold-down means 100 is shown in FIG. 1 and is located intermediate the two uprights 16 and 18. Hold-down means 100 consists ofa support member 102 extending above base 14 with a fluid ram 104 secured to the upper end of member 102. Fluid ram 104 has its cylinder 106 connected to the support member 102 and has arcuate element 107 connected to piston rod 108. Arcuate element 107 carries two or more rollers 109 for engaging the peripheral surface of core 28. By supplying fluid to the head end of cylinder 104 through conduit 110, the peripheral surface of the hollow core 28 is forced into engagement with the peripheral surfaces of the rollers 32.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the core straightener assembly also includes means for removing any irregularities from the end of the core while the flattened or bent core is being returned to its original circular condition. This means is most clearly shown in FIG. 2 and consists of a file or rasp means 112 that is loosely supported on arm 36 through a threaded stud 114. A fluid ram 116 has its cylinder 117 pivotally connected on a lug 118 which is carried by a support arm 120 that is secured to arm 36. Piston rod 122 of fluid ram 116 is connected to one end of file means 112. By supplying fluid to the cylinder 117, piston rod 122 is retracted to move the file or rasp means 112 towards the end of the core supported on mandrel 20.

OPERATION It is believed that the operation of the core straightening assembly 10 is readily understood from the above description but a brief summary will now be made.

The core 28 having flattened or bent portions on the end thereof is inserted through circular opening 52 and moved axially until the end is forced between mandrel 20 and rollers 32. The motor 22 is then actuated and a solenoid (not shown) is simultaneously actuated to supply air to the head ends of cylinders 84 and 104. Supplying fluid to cylinder 104 of fluid ram 100 will hold the intermediate portion of the core in contacting engagement with the peripheral surfaces of rollers 32. Also, the supply or pressurized air to the cylinder 84 will rotate member and the rotational movement of camming surface will develope a toggle action between the camming surface 74 and the cam followers to simultaneously spread apart the lower ends of arms 36 and 38 so as to move the rollers upwardly along the circular are 62 to changethe angular relation of the rollers with respect to the axis of mandrel 20. This will raise the core into engagement with the surface of the mandrel and clamp the core between the rollers and the mandrel.

As was indicated above, the diameter of the mandrel is smaller than the inside diameter of the core. The clamping or bending action on the core between the rollers and the mandrel is caused by the fact that the rollers are moved up and out about an axis (the mandrel axis) which is below the centerline or axis for the hollow core. Therefore, the relative movement between the rollers and the mandrel will produce a bending action on the core as the core is being rotated by the rollers and mandrel which will result in removal of any bent or flattened portions on the end of the core.

FIG. 3 shows the position that the circular core would assume on the rollers without having the mandrel engage the inner surface. However, the mandrel will engage the inner surface of the core and force the lower portion downwardly between the spaced rollers while the rollers are moved up and out, from the solid line position, to produce the desired bending action.

The fluid ram 116 may also be actuated simultaneously or shortly after the motor is actuated to pull the rasp or file 112 into engagement with the end of core 28 to remove any surface irregularities or burrs from the end of the core.

The tapered end 27 of the core is utilized to partially straighten badly bent or flattened cores by inserting the core between the tapered portion 27 and the rollers 32. The maximum amount and then momentarily actuating motor 22 to partially straighten the core sufficiently to allow it to then be completely inserted over the mandrel.

It will be appreciated that the amount of flattening or bending that can be accommodated and still be straightened will depend to some extend upon the relative diameters of the cores and the mandrel. it will be appreciated that it will be necessary for the mandrel to have a somewhat smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the hollow circular core 28 so that it can be inserted into the core even when the end portion is in a somewhat flattened state.

While not absolutely necessary to the practice of the invention, the motor is preferably reversible and is normally operated in one direction. The motor may be operated in the reverse direction when a core is badly bent at which time a partial revolution in the reverse direction will be sufficient to straighten the core an amount adequate to allow the core to be completely inserted over the mandrel.

Actual tests have shown that a core can be straightened in about three or four revolutions of the mandrel which would take fifteen seconds when the motor is driven at a speed of 11 r.p.m.

As can be seen from the above description, the above invention provides a simple rugged apparatus or assembly that can extend the service life of hollow cores indefinitely.

I claim:

1. A core straightener assembly for straightening bent ends of hollow circular cores comprising a frame: a mandrel supported for rotation about a fixed axis on said frame, a pair of spaced rollers having axes extending parallel to the axis of said mandrel, support means for supporting said rollers on said frame for movement along a circular arc having its axis coincident with the axis of said mandrel; and drive means for driving said mandrel and said rollers, said drive means including a drive member connected to said mandrel, a gear fixed to said mandrel, and gears fixed to said rollers and in mesh with the gear on said mandrel.

2. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 1, further including means spaced from said mandrel for engaging the peripheral surface of the core and maintaining the peripheral surface in engagement with said rollers.

3. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said support means includes a pair of arms for each roller, said arms being pivotally supported about an axis common to the axis of the mandrel with said rollers rotatably supported on said arms at points equally spaced from the axis of said mandrel; and means for pivoting said arms.

4. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 3, in which said means for pivoting said arms includes a member rotatable on said frame and having an arcuate camming surface thereon, cam followers on said arms engaging said camming surface, and means for rotating said member.

5. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said mandrel has a tapered free end.

6. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 1, further including file means supported adjacent said mandrel for engaging the end of the core to remove any irregularities from the end of the core.

7. A core straightener assembly for straightening the ends of cylindrical hollow cores, comprising a frame having a pair of spaced uprights; a mandrel supported for rotation about a fixed axis on one of said uprights; drive means for rotating said mandrel; a pair of rollers; support means carried by said uprights supporting said rollers below said mandrel with their axes exteding parallel to the axis of said mandrel so that a hollow core may be clamped between the peripheral surfaces of said rollers and said mandrel; moving means cooperating with said support means for moving said rollers along a circluar path having its axis coincident with the axis of said mandrel; and means above said rollers for maintaining the peripheral surface of the core in engagement with said rollers.

8. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 7, in which said support means includes a pair of arms for each roller, one arm of each pair supported for pivotal movement on one upright and the other arm of each pair supported for pivotal movement on the other upright, and in which said moving means includes a member rotatable about a fixed axis on said uprights and engaging means between said member and said arms so that rotation of said member moves said arms.

9. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 8, in which said engaging means includes a cam follower on each arm and camming surfaces on opposite ends of said member engaging said cam followers, said rollers being rotatably supported on said arms about pivot axes spaced a common dimension from the axis of said mandrel, further including fluid ram means between said support and said member for rotating said member.

10. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 7, futher including gears on said rollers in mesh with a gear on said mandrel so that said drive means rotates said rollers with said mandrel.

11. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 7, further including file means adjacent said mandrelv for removing irregularities from the end of the core.

12. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 7, in which said drive means rotates said mandrel and said rollers are at the same speed and in which the diameters of said rollers and said mandrel are dimensioned so that the surface speed of said mandrel is substantially equal to the speed of the inside surface of the core and the surface speed of the rollers is substantially equal to the speed of the outside surface of the core. 

1. A core straightener assembly for straightening bent ends of hollow circular cores comprising a frame: a mandrel supported for rotation about a fixed axis on said frame, a pair of spaced rollers having axes extending parallel to the axis of said mandrel, support means for supporting said rollers on said frame for movement along a circular arc having its axis coincident with the axis of said mandrel; and drive means for driving said mandrel and said rollers, said drive means including a drive member connected to said mandrel, a gear fixed to said mandrel, and gears fixed to said rollers and in mesh with the gear on said mandrel.
 2. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 1, further including means spaced from said mandrel for engaging the peripheral surface of the core and maintaining the peripheral surface in engagement with said rollers.
 3. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said support means includes a pair of arms for each roller, said arms being pivotally supported about an axis common to the axis of the mandrel with said rollers rotatably supported on said arms at points equally spaced from the axis of said mandrel; and means for pivoting said arms.
 4. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 3, in which said means for pivoting said arms includes a member rotatable on said frame and having an arcuate camming surface thereon, cam followers on said arms engaging said camming surface, and means for rotating said member.
 5. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said mandrel has a tapered free end.
 6. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 1, further including file means supported adjacent said mandrel for engaging the end of the core to remove any irregularities from the end of the core.
 7. A core straightener assembly for straightening the ends of cylindrical hollow cores, comprising a frame having a pair of spaced uprights; a mandrel supported for rotation about a fixed axis on one of said uprights; drive means for rotating said mandrel; a pair of rollers; support means carried by said uprights supporting said rollers below said mandrel with their axes exteding parallel to the axis of said mandrel so that a hollow core may be clamped between the peripheral surfaces of said rollers and said mandrel; moving means cooperating with said support means for moving said rollers along a circluar path having its axis coincident with the axis of said mandrel; and means above said rollers for maintaining the peripheral surface of the core in engagement with said rollers.
 8. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 7, in which said support means includes a pair of arms for each roller, one arm of each pair supported for pivotal movement on one upright and the other arm of each pair supported for pivotal movement on the other upright, and in which said moving means includes a member rotatable about a fixed axis on said uprights and engaging means between said member and said arms so that rotation of said member moves said arms.
 9. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 8, in which said engaging means includes a cam follower on each arm and camming surfaces on opposite ends of said member engaging said cam followers, said rollers being rotatably supported on said arms about pivot axes spaced a common dimension from the axis of said mandrel, further including fluid ram means between said support and said member for rotating said member.
 10. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 7, futher including gears on said rollers in mesh with a gear on said mandrel so that said drive means rotates said rollers with said mandrel.
 11. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 7, further including file means adjacent said mandrel for removing irregularities from the end of the core.
 12. A core straightener assembly as defined in claim 7, in which said drive means rotates said mandrel and said rollers are at the same speed and in which the diameters of said rollers and said mandrel are dimensioned so that the surface speed of said mandrel is substantially equal to the speed of the inside surface of the core and the surface speed of the rollers is substantially equal to the speed of the outside surface of the core. 